Attraction briefs: Aug. 13-19

ATTRACTION BRIEFS

Busch Gardens "Summer Nights" and Adventure Island "Island Nights": Busch Gardens' "Summer Nights" will feature new thrill rides, a Kinetix show with rock-fueled music and acrobatics at 9 p.m. on Gwazi Field, followed by a fireworks show every night, and "Island Nights" Thursdays-Saturdays featuring island entertainment, larger-than-life sand sculptures, new family thrill slide and a family friendly sunset celebration. Both events will run through Aug. 16. For information, park hours and more, call 888-800-5447. Busch Gardens is at 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Adventure Island is at 10001 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa.

"Mystery of the Mayan Medallion": Expand your knowledge about the sophisticated Mayan civilization, celebrated for its advanced writing and mathematical systems and knowledge of astronomy, at "The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion" special exhibition which runs through Sept. 13. In this immersive exhibition visitors will uncover secrets of an ancient world as they "travel" to Palenque, deep in the rainforest of Mexico, where the Maya prospered for thousand of years, and where an archaeological team has mysteriously disappeared. Adults and children are challenged to follow the clues the team left behind to locate the treasure but must be careful and heed the warning signs they encounter. The exhibit is included with regular museum admission. Tickets: $19 adults, $17 seniors ages 65 and over, $14 children ages 4-12, children ages three and younger are admitted free. For information and museum hours, visit southfloridamuseum.org.

Wizard of Oz Traveling Exhibit: Join the Glazer Children Museum as they host their first traveling exhibit based on the film "Wizard of Oz" 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Sept. 30. The exhibit includes interactive areas such as Gale Farm, Munchkinland, Crossroads, Witches Castle and Emerald City. The exhibit is included with general admission to the museum. General admission: $15 adults, $9.50 children. Information: 813-443-3809 or glazermuseum.org. The Museum is located at 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa.

Free ride events at the Florida Railroad Museum: The Florida Railroad Museum will offer free rides for two children with each paid adult ticket through August, grandparents ride free during Grandparents Weekend, Sept. 12-13. Information: 941-776-0906 or frrm.org. The museum is at 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish.

Florida Aquarium and Lowry Park Zoo "Zooquarium ticket": Families can purchase a new special combo ticket for a one-time visit to both the Florida Aquarium and Lowry Park Zoo now through Oct. 31. Visitors can experience 1,300 animals in natural habitats like elephants, koalas and tigers at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and more than 20,000 sea creatures like penguins, otters and sharks at the Florida Aquarium. Tickets: $39.95 adults, $29.95 children ages 3-11. For detailed information, hours of operation and more, call 813-935-8552 or lowryparkzoo.org. The zoo is at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa and the aquarium is at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa.

Hot Summer Deals at Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens is offering a few great ways to experience world-class thrill rides, live entertainment and up-close animal encounters with the following hot summer deals: Get $15 Busch Gardens Bucks when purchasing a 2015 Fun Card, through Dec. 31. Busch Garden Bucks must be redeemed by Sept. 31. Pass members and fun card holders can bring up to two friends for $25 each through Aug. 16. Restrictions apply. For information on these two deals visit buschgardenstampa.com. The park is at 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa.

Lowry Park Zoo August events: Lowry Park Zoo will host the following events during the month of August:

Florida residents are offered a $15 admission through Aug. 16. Tickets are for daytime Zoo admission for persons ages 3 and older.

Zoo Run Run begins with check-in at 6:30 a.m. Race and walk starts at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 22. Children ages 11 and younger can enter a special "Fun Run" which follows the 5k. Registration cost includes admission to the Zoo for the day for the entrant and a race t-shirt, while supplies last. Register online at lowryparkzoo.org.

Back to School Splash, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 22 featuring games, crafts, snacks, and important back-to-school safety and health tips. Two children, ages 3-11, will be admitted free with each full-priced adult admission. For detailed information, park hours, ticket prices and more, call 813-935-8552 or lowryparkzoo.org. The park is located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa.

Florida Maritime Museum Closing for Maintenance: The Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, will be temporarily closed to the public from Aug. 23-Sept. 21 for general maintenance and exhibit updates. Information 941-708-6120 or fmminfo@manateeclerk.com.

Bank of America "Museums on Us": Bank of America's "Museums on Us" is offering cardholders free admission to some of the most exciting cultural venues in the United States Sept. 4-5. Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders can get free access to more than 150 participating museums in 94 cities and include the Florida Holocaust Museum and Tampa Museum of Art in Tampa and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission. The offer is valid for cardholders only, guests are not eligible. The program excludes fundraising events, special exhibitions and ticketed shows the first full weekend of each month. Information: museums.bankofamerica.com.

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights: Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights 25 will be Sept. 18-Nov. 1 during which guests can experience the ultimate battle of evil vs. evil when two of the most feared icons in horror film history, "A Nightmare on Elm Street's" Freddy Krueger and "Friday the 13th's" Jason Voorhees will be unleashed in a terrifying new haunted house. For hours, tickets and detailed information, visit halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando. The park is at 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando.

"Hole in the Head Train Robbery": A valuable shipment will be on board your train at The Florida Railroad Museum's "Hole in the Head Gang Train Robbery" 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 19-20. Passengers will be fully secure in the hands of the United States Marshal Service who will try to prevent the gang from attempting to stop the train in which the entire family can participate. Tickets: $12-$16. Some of the tickets are for open air-cars and are first come, first serve at boarding. Information: 941-776-0906 or frrm.org. The museum is at 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish.

Howl-O-Scream: Busch Gardens' premier Halloween event "Howl-O-Scream 2015" single-day admission tickets are now available for a limited time at $45 each. Freaky Preview tickets are $35. Howl-O-Scream will run on select nights 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 1-31. Freaky Preview is Sept. 25-26. Tickets are valid for one event night only and are not valid for general daily admission. Parking is not included. Information: 888-800-5447 or howloscream.com. The park is at 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa.

RealRail Train Displays: Come enjoy the operating train displays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, except on holiday weekends, at 6804 14th St. W., Bradenton. Admission is free. Tax free donations are accepted. Information: realrail.com.

Bearadise Ranch: Bearadise Ranch is home to the famous Welde family bears, and established in 1926 to educate and generate public awareness for habitat preservation and conservation for all bear species. The public can learn about bears and gain an appreciation for them on tours 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with educational presentations as part of the tour offering plenty of photographic opportunities for the nature lover or bear enthusiast. Donations: $8 adults, $6 children ages 5-12, children ages 4 and younger are admitted free. Reservations are required. The ranch is at 6908 245th St. E., Myakka City, Information: 941-322-2462 or bearadiseranch.com.

Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery: Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery is a Certified Florida Farm Winery and is Florida's premier certified "Master Level" Green winery. Wines are 97 percent hand crafted from 100 percent whole fresh Manatee County grown grapes and are bottled in recycled/repurposed wine bottles. The winery offers seven varieties of the native Muscadine grapes and makes 11 different wines: red, white and rose, including red and white sparkling wines and whole fresh fruit wines. The winery is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week and offers complimentary wine tastings and tours. The winery is at 8905 Bunker Hill Road, Duette. Information: 941-776-0418 or bunkerhillvineyard.com.

Gator Spot at Fun Spot America-Orlando Theme Park: Gator Spot at Fun Spot America-Orlando Theme Park and wildlife preserve is now open offering exciting new exhibits and entertainment and features more than 100 alligators, including a rare leucistic "white" alligator, exotic birds, snakes, lizards, two aquariums filled with baby alligators and other animals that will interact with guests on a rotating basis. Admission: $6. Information: 800-393-5297 or gatorland.com. The park is at5700 Fun Spot Way, Orlando.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Kennedy Space Center, 45 minutes east of Orlando. At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you'll get a behind the scenes look at NASA's space exploration program including the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction, Apollo/Saturn V Center with Saturn V moon rocket, Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours, Shuttle Launch Experience, IMAX Hubble 3D and Journey to Space films, and more. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m.; closing time varies by season. Call or go online for admission prices: 321-449-4444 or www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Attraction briefs: Aug. 13-19."